From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has inaugurated a committee on disposal of overtime cargo in order to decongest the ports with such burden.
This is in line the new Customs Act, which empowers the NCS to dispose of containers that have exceeded their allotted time within the ports.
Inaugurating the committee, the CGC emphasised that easing port congestion is a paramount objective of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as it heightens efficiency and enhances trade facilitation.
Adeniyi recalled that “that approximately six months ago, the new NCS Act received the former President Mohammed Buhari’s signature, ushering in substantial modifications to the previous protocols governing the disposal of overtime cargo.”
According to him, the NCS Act 2023 stipulates that the disposal of cargo exceeding allotted time can now only occur through a court order.
More so, “goods must be disposed of through public auction or tender, to be widely publicised in advance through national newspapers, television and the service’s official website.”
Over this initiative, the General Manager of the Office of the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Durowaiye Ayodele, expressed relief about the over 7,000 overtime containers across the ports for many years.
“We have containers that have been there for over 10 years occupying economic space, which we are unable to dispose,” he said. “So this is a significant relief for our operations.
“We are delighted that we have reached a point where we can begin to remove some of these lingering containers and overdue cargo from the port.”
On his part, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Greg Itotoh, affirmed that with the support of the NPA, the changes and new procedures would ensure more streamlined trade operations.
The committee will be chaired by a senior officer of the NCS, with members comprising representatives from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Others include the NPA, Nigerian Police, Department of State Service, the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Control, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
